By having consistent and predictable routines, your classroom will run itself… Right? Unfortunately, not everything is predictable. Like when a kid needs to use the bathroom. It’s going to come up all day everyday. While you can’t control the wee little bladders of kids who have sucked down too much Capri Sun at lunch, having a plan in place will prevent both disruptions to your class and accidents. Read below to snag some ideas about how to manage bathroom trips.
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This blog post will…
Setting ExpectationsThe expectation is that nobody uses the restroom when I’m teaching (direct whole-group) instruction, reading a story or during a small group lesson UNLESS it is an absolute emergency. I’ve found that you need to really define what the word “emergency” means because their go to phrase will be, “I need to use the bathroom. It’s an EMERGENCY.” This phrase will be said with crossed legs while the child bounces up and down for dramatic effect. I explain that an emergency means that if you don’t get to the bathroom immediately you will have an accident. That seems to do the trick. Simply saying “unless it is an emergency” will not. Trust me. So other than the times listed above, my friends pretty much can go when they need to. I should note that there have been some years that I also apply the absolute emergency rule to independent reading time because some friends will go every day at that time to avoid reading. I do only let one boy and one girl go at any given time. I suggest this policy because you will otherwise have social hour going on in the bathroom. They leave the classroom at different times, but mysteriously always return at the same time. Hence, my rule. System for Bathroom Breaks
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Check out this resource here! ![]()
Check out this resource here! ![]()
Check out this resource here! Check out this resource here! |

